By Ikram Junaidi<\/p>\n
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday ordered the cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against those involved in an anti-army campaign on social media platforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder constitutional guidelines on freedom of expression, unwarranted criticism of security forces and other institutions responsible for the defence of the realm is not allowed. No citizen can be involved in a campaign that tarnishes the reputation and respect of the armed forces,\u201d an interior ministry statement quoted him as saying.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisrespecting the Pakistan Army and its officials under the guise of freedom of expression will not be tolerated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Online criticism of the armed forces began after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor on May 10 announced the withdrawal of an earlier tweet, that \u201crejected\u201d the government\u2019s notification of the findings of a body set up to investigate a story published in Dawn last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe tweet of April 29, 2017 was not aimed at any institution or individual,\u201d Maj Gen Ghafoor had said at a press briefing last week.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince action on orders of the prime minister has already been completed by the respective ministries and divisions, the issue of Dawn leaks stands settled,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But the original tweet had already prompted a wave of criticism against the armed forces, both among political circles and on social media.<\/p>\n
Senate Opposition Leader Aitzaz Ahsan, who belongs to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), even went as far as to suggest that the ISPR spokesperson should have \u201cresigned rather than taking back his tweet\u201d.<\/p>\n
On social media, jokes and posts ridiculing the armed forces were also shared following the ISPR\u2019s official\u2019s press conference.<\/p>\n
But on Sunday, the interior minister declared it was a criminal offence to target Pakistan\u2019s most revered and disciplined institution over \u201cvested interests\u201d, adding that those who \u2013 wittingly or unwittingly \u2013 participated in such an action would be liable to prosecution.<\/p>\n
He directed the FIA to look into the issue and take strict action against anyone found involved in the malicious campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose involved in this condemnable act should be taken to the task, irrespective of which party or profession they hail from,\u201d the statement concluded.<\/p>\n
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